Alexander Isak is available to make his debut for Liverpool but manager Arne Slot has hinted at a bit-part role in the coming weeks.
The Reds head to Burnley on Sunday hoping to continue their perfect start to the season.
Alexander Isak is in line to make his Liverpool debut at Burnley this weekend
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Alexander Isak is in line to make his Liverpool debut at Burnley this weekendCredit: Getty
Wins over Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal ensured Slot’s side quickly took up the familiar space of top spot in the Premier League table.
Liverpool’s solid start to their title defence came prior to the deadline-day signing of Isak who had been embroiled in a long-standing dispute with former club Newcastle.
Isak made clear his intentions to leave the club due to ‘broken promises’ over his future after an initial £110million bid from the Reds was rebuffed.
Liverpool finally got their man in the final hours of the transfer window in a British-record £125m transfer and head to Turf Moor with the striker available for selection.
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Is Isak ready to play?
The Swede’s refusal to participate in training resulting in his omission from Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Asia, means his fitness and conditioning are behind schedule.
Isak banked his first competitive minutes of the season across September’s international break but was only afforded 18 minutes of action for Sweden over the two fixtures.
It may take until October before Isak is back firing on all cylinders and Slot will be confident he has enough attacking weapons to deputise until the 25-year-old finds his groove at Anfield.
“Don't expect Alex to be on for 90 minutes in every game over the next few weeks,” Slot told reporters on Friday.
“He missed a proper preseason, three or four months of team sessions, we have to build him up gradually. With us playing so many games, hardly any training time, that’ll be a challenge.
Arne Slot has told Liverpool fans to be patient with Isak as he aims to get the striker up to speed
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Arne Slot has told Liverpool fans to be patient with Isak as he aims to get the striker up to speedCredit: Getty
Isak was all smiles this week when he returned to the pitch in Sweden's World Cup qualifiers
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Isak was all smiles this week when he returned to the pitch in Sweden's World Cup qualifiersCredit: Getty
“We haven’t signed him for not only the upcoming two weeks, but, I think, six years. That’s what we have to keep in mind.
“What the fans have to keep in mind, if I take him off at a certain moment, or I only bring him only for a small amount of minutes – it’s for the long term fitness of the player. In football there’s always criticism. It’s part of his life, my life, our jobs.”
“The Swedish manager [Jon Dahl Tomasson] deserves a big compliment because he gets the best striker in the world but understands if he plays 90 minutes twice, he might be injured for a number of weeks. We will treat him the same as they did.”
What does Isak’s arrival mean for Hugo Ekitike?
If Newcastle boss Eddie Howe had his way, Isak would be forming a devastating partnership with Hugo Ekitike on Tyneside.
At least that was the plan, but plans always look good on paper.
Hugo Ekitike has superbly filled the void in attack this season
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Hugo Ekitike has superbly filled the void in attack this seasonCredit: Getty
As it so happened, Isak and Ekitike wound up at Anfield but doubts remain as to whether they can forge a partnership or whether they will be in direct competition.
Paying £69million for a back-up player doesn’t sound like the most sensible use of funds so Slot will be keen to find a spot for the Frenchman.
Ekitike has started the season in blistering form for the Reds, netting twice in his opening three matches as Liverpool’s central striker.
However, his future as the club’s frontman could be in doubt when Isak gets up to full speed meaning Ekitike may have to settle for a wide left role.
With Mohamed Salah making the right flank his own, Ekitike will have to battle it out with the often reliable Cody Gakpo in replacing summer departure Luis Diaz.
Another option could be a shift in formation which would see Slot line his side up a 4-2-3-1 with Ekitike and Salah operating in a slightly narrower role either side of Florian Wirtz with Isak up top.
Slot must find a way of incorporating all of his big hitters
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Slot must find a way of incorporating all of his big hitters
Playing off the left is of no concern to Ekitike who featured in that position nine time for Eintracht Frankfurt last term.
And even when playing in a more advanced position he often gravitates to the left when counter attacking.
Ekitike is a dab hand when it comes to dribbles as backed up by Bundesliga statisticians.
Last season, Ekitike attempted a whopping 126 attempted dribbles, registering the sixth highest in the league and something Slot would no doubt have been attentive to.
Could an Isak-Ekitike partnership work?
Ask Eintracht Frankfurt if Ekitike can function in a coherent attacking partnership.
His alliance with Omar Marmoush before the Egyptian's January move to Manchester City was one of the big success stories in Germany outside of Bayern Munich.
The pair were in fine form in the first half of the 2024/25, with a mix of fluidity in positions, goals and assists.
Ekitike and Marmoush formed a deadly partnership at Eintracht before it was broken up by the Egyptian's move to Man City
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Ekitike and Marmoush formed a deadly partnership at Eintracht before it was broken up by the Egyptian's move to Man CityCredit: Getty
It partnership worked so well that Eintracht were genuine title contenders until the winter break before the Marmoush headed to City.
A similar connection with Isak is not impossible but Slot’s formation and want to field Dominik Szoboszlai, Wirtz and Salah alongside the pair are unlikely to help forge the same understanding as he had with Marmoush.
Burnley vs Liverpool: Date and how to follow
This Premier League game will take place on Sunday, September 14 with kick-off at Turf Moor scheduled for 2.00pm
Fans can follow the action on talkSPORT’s GameDay Live with Natalie Sawyer, Perry Groves & Micky Gray from 1.30pm
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
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The Reds head to Turf Moor on Sunday having won on each of their last six visits
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The Reds head to Turf Moor on Sunday having won on each of their last six visitsCredit: getty
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
The match will also be broadcast on Sky Sports Premier League while Sky Go customers will be able to stream through their laptops and mobile devices.